Bio – English
Marco Selvaggio was born in Catania, on 7th October 1983 and since he was a child he approached the world of music and percussion in particular.
Versatile percussionist, Marco, skillfully uses many percussion instruments, in a constant creative search that leads him to experience the sound in all its nuances. Once he obtained a law degree, he took part in some inter-cultural projects related to African traditional music and percussions in kindergartens, primary and secondary school.
He worked in theatres and performed in live concerts. He began to study African traditional music in 2000 with master Senegalese Alù Djeng graduated from the Music Academy in Dakar.
Since 2004 he worked with some DJs aiming to take with the djembe and house music in all its shades during the nights and event in the house discos.
He participated “Nuit Blanche” in Paris in 2004, after a stage with Djan Camarà original drummer of Conakry in Guinea and descendant of a family of griots Peul ethnic group and a founding member of the Ensemle National de Guinee.
In 2005, he learnt a deeper knowledge of new African musical instruments in Catania following a course taught by master musician Sourakhatà Diabaté recognized as a skilled and versatile virtuoso specializing in performances with the djembe and bass drums (sangban, doundunbà and kenkenì) and with all the tools of traditional sub-
Saharan Africa as the bolon, balafon, gongomà, krina, assiko, goni, calabas in water.
Over the years he continued to study African traditional music and he also had the opportunity to play in Australia, Sydney, in particular in the Side Bar and Cargo, and also in the Byron Bay Beach Hotel.
In 2009 he participated in a course taught by internationally renowned master Famoudou Konate in Palermo since 1996 who was given the title of Honorary Professor of Music Education of African Art at the University of Berlin in Germany, where he still resides and teaches.
Finally he became part of the Cultural Association “The United Artists theater Cine-Factory” and edited the music section of the show Shakespeare Experiment conducted by the director and actor Claudio Mazzenga.
His passion for music led him to play various African traditional musical instruments like djembè and bass drums (KenKen, sangban, doundunbà) krin and traditional music such as the Australian didgeridoo, and finally a very special instrument of Swiss origin of which there are only slightly more than 10.000 units around the world called HANG.
The hang is composed of two convex metal parts joined together: the side “DING” and side “GU”.
DING side is composed of 8 tonal areas in the outer part of the body. In the center there is a sort of dome (hence the nice sound of DING) that produces a percussion sound like a gong. GU hand side is mainly designed as a resonant box. It has a hole in the center that can also serve to modulate the sound of the DING side.
Marco Selvaggio has also edited the music of a dance performance at the Metropolitan in Catania for the dance school Aire of the teacher Fia Di Stefano played traditional African music first and then a solo with the hang.
On July 23rd, 2010 Marco was invited to join as a guest solist in Canicattì Bagni for “contemporary ethnic music festival” and today he continues to play in many places in Italy teaching basic courses of African traditional music and percussions.
On September 11th, 2010 he was invited to the headquarters of Radio Flash in Adrano to be interviewed and he played live with the collaboration of Ciaudà and on September 12th, 2010 he performed as a guest at the music festival “Soundpeace” in the amphitheater Ciminiere of Catania.
On September 14 2010, he was invited to perform as a guest in the TV show “Under the Spotlight” with the hang.In October 2010 he released his first album called “Into the Ocean” in which many artists have worked.
Marco Selvaggio now is the only one in Italy and Europe to offer a complete set using percussion djembe, krins, bass drums, bongos and especially the hang drum!!
Hang on house music is something that only him in the world probably does.
This is an International exclusive that makes him play in a lot of famous clubs.
On November 18th, 2010 he made a public show-case at Scenario Pubblico in Catania (repeated two times in a row for the presence of many people) preceded by a press conference.
On November 29th, 2010 he took part in a charity event organized by the team Calcio Catania to C & G with Vincenzo Spampinato, Giuseppe Castiglia and other famous TV and Music celebrities in Sicily.
On January 6th, 2011 he played in the inauguration of Artime whose artistic director is Fioretta Mari (National actress), all presented by Salvo La Rosa, collaborating with a school dance with the Master Walter Pilo.
Megamind did an interview to Marco and after this a loto f nationals journals and Tvs (telecolor, antenna sicilia, la sicilia, il giornale di sicilia, ritmi, universitinforma, deejayplace, housemusicitalia, distorsioni sonore, sound 36, italian style magazine, dj mag italia, chair and many others).
On april 2011 Marco registered the first official video Hang Drum & House Music with the video maker Marco Pirrello.
On 22 May 2011 Marco played for a concert in one of the best theatre of Italy, and Europe too, Teatro Massimo Bellini.
Now Marco plays in a lot of clubs and he is the only one in the world to use a lot of instruments on house music live
On 15 and 16 july 2011 he playes in Munich (Germany) for a fashion walk as special guest for the NESH agency and after this for the club SUGAR.
On 25 august 2011 he did his first concert in London @ 93 feet east club (Radiohead and James Blunt played there) in Brick Lane area.
On the first days of december 2011, Marco played for a cultural project for some schools and students of Catania.
On 17 december Marco played for the Etnafest 2011, to the Pinacoteca of Catania, playing during some reading of famous journalist and writers.
On 27 december Marco played for the concert of Cesare Malfatti – LA CRUS – (Sanremo 2011) with the hangs.
On 4 february 2012, Marco plays in Milan for 2 years party of BAOBAR.
On 29 february the video Painting my World of Marco Selvaggio went on ITALIA 2 (Mediaset – National TV) for the tv show UZONE (16 mm.).
On 20 march Marco plays in London @ Project Club London as special guest in quality of hang player, on 21 @ Chelsea at Beaufort House, and 22 at SIVA studios to record an house track with Mr. Fonc.
On 3 april 2012 Marco Selvaggio’s video “Painting my World” went for the second time to the national tv ITALIA 2 for the tv show LINEA 2.
On 15 april 2012 Marco played as guest for the Event “May in Music” to Theatre Bellini in Catania performing 3 tracks of his new project with the new formation.
From 11 may and 14 2012 Marco played in Malta for the Lovesexy Festival as Special Guest.
On July 7 2012 Marco take care of the music of the dance recital of the school of Fia Distefano AIRE at METROPOLITAN theatre of Catania with the piano master Alberto Alibrandi, the violinist Nicolò Borgese and the soprano Elisa Argentino.
On August 6, 2012 Marco is live interview on national radio RADIO MONTE CARLO and the following August 7 Marco plays as a guest for the memorial to Turi Ferro in the amphitheater at S.G. La Punta.
On 18 and August 19 Marco Selvaggio played in concert at MEDFEST Buccheri as a guest accompanied by guitarist Giuliano Fondacaro, by violinist Nicolò Borgese and the soprano Elisa Argentino.
On 14 and 15 september 2012 Marco Selvaggio played with the Autumn Leaves group to the Buskers Festival WIEN.
On 3 november 2012 Marco played to ATMOSFERA (Catanzaro) with Sagi Rei and on 5 november to LA SOSTA (one of the most important jazz club in the southest part of Italy). On 10 november Marco played as special guest to PLATZ (Trapani).
On November 30, Marco plays in Reggio Calabria for the inauguration of interior design store “Chez Nous” and then all’H224.
The December 1, 2012 Marco plays @ Casa delle Terre Forti for the inauguration of the painter Mara Bartoli with the violinist Nicolò Borgese.
The December 20, 2012 Marco Selvaggio plays for the Rite of Light organized by the Fiumara d’Arte Foundation of Antonio Presti.
On 21 December Marco plays with The Autumn Leaves (with the inclusion of the cellist Salvo Mammoliti and harpist Gaia Sessa) at the Terme Achilliane of Catania.
On 22 December Marco plays at the Metropolitan Theatre in Catania for the show Violinists in the Jeans.
The following 30 December in Palermo Marco plays in a duo with violinist Borgese inaugurating the opening of the historical Palazzo Steri in the prisons of the Inquisition, all preceded by the presentation of Prof. Basile.
Marco chad an article on the journal VOGUE and the following February 18, 2013 Marco in collaboration with DJ Kamo released “ORIUNDO EP” for the label Barecraft Music composed by three songs hang and house music.
On March 15, Marco played for the prestigious dance company Zappalà at Scenario Pubblico for the event Sudvirus-Antibodies in pills.
The 12, 13 and 14 April 2013 Marco & The Autumn Leaves played a Iepres (BELGIUM) for the festival of art, music, theater and castles.
On May 10, Marco plays as a guest at the club Genoa NEO 262 and the following May 11 concert at the Theatre for the festival FOREVERGREEN.
On June 1, Mark produces along with the London-based dj producer Jules Dickens aka Abstract Source an EP of house music hang ( usually created by him) for the Brazilian Electronic label Fusion Records.
On June 5, 2013 Marco returns for the third time to play as a guest for the May Festival of Music at the Teatro Massimo Vincenzo Bellini.
On June 23, Marco plays for the Rite of Light in Castel di Tusa.
On July 27, Marco sounds like a special guest with her hang on to the house music sealight Club Lipari .
From August 2 to 5 Marco was invited to play at the festival MOJOCA Moio della Civitella in the province of Salerno.
From September 13 to 15 Marco plays for the second time (the only Italian musician ) at the Buskers Festival VIENNA 2013 and in concert OST KLUB WIEN.
On September 25, 2013 Marco plays for the white night in St. Catherine of Villarmosa in concert.
On December 5, Marco plays inaugurating the exhibition Leonardo da Vinci’s “Journey of the machines of Leonardo – The courage of the impossible.”
13 December 2013 Marco plays as a guest the hang to “Tre Zone Club” of Gela.
On December 19, Marco plays at the Ambassadors Theatre in Catania for the event “Stage and Legality” As an attorney artist.
On December 20, 2013 comes out the compilations Sanghamitra ‘s Lounge for which Marco has released two tracks ( hang dream and silk sheet) in collaboration with producer Emilio Merone.
On December 23, Marco plays at the Teatro Ghione in Rome for the actress Claudia Koll for the prize of peace of art and culture.
On January 23, Coldplay posting the song Orietur Marco did with The Autumn Leaves Ft Choir Overture on their website as video of the day.
On February 23, Marco plays in concert at Mein Haus Am See in Berlin Mitte and is interviewed by the Germans and various music blogs.
In March 2014 the compilation comes Sanghamitra’s Lounge which Marco has participated in creating two songs with producer Emilio Merone.
On March 28, Mark is called as a guest by Zoo School to perform and present high school kids Avola Enrico Mattei for the project Youth and Future.
On April 7, 2014 released the EP Marco Selvaggio – HANGOLOGY for the label Forevegreen.fm of Genoa.
On May 2, Marco plays in concert in Milan (Monza) at the Monastery of Mercy for Rotary.
On May 16, Marco plays in concert at Agrigento, together with Francesco Forni and Ilaria Graziano.
On May 17, Mark plays for the fifth pilates yoga retreat in Syracuse.
On June 4, Marco plays for a corporate event private whirlpool in concert at the Greek Theatre in Taormina, one of the most beautiful theaters in the world.
On 6 and 7 June Marco plays again at the Greek Theatre in Taormina for the Made in Medi (a festival entirely dedicated to fashion designers and artists from all over Europe).
On 26 and 27 June in Switzerland Marco plays at Burning Mountain Festival, a festival of music and trance goa very special. On this occasion, Marco opened the festival.
On July 19, Mark takes care of all the music in the theater “La Sala dei Cinquecento” of Troina for the theatrical interior 666.
On July 28, Mark plays for the Tribute to Francesco Mauro Ermanno Giovanardi Virlinzi opening of LA CRUS and Erica Mou.
On August 2, plays Marco in Florence in private concert.
The 5, 6 and 7 September Marco plays for the third consecutive year at the Buskers Festival Wien in 2014.
On September 8, Marco plays in concert in Bratislava all’Hlava 22.
On 9 and 10 September in Bratislava Marco plays to a live broadcast of Balcony TV and in the evening at the club Urban House before moving to Budapest.
Actually Marco Selvaggio plays around Europe and he is taking part in a lot of different art and musical projects.
